Tag: love

Yesterday, I was feeling fancy. & if you follow me on snapchat you would’ve seen my shameless self promotion and me jamming to Beyonce’s “Feeling Myself” lol– my username is callynnlynell, btw! You guys know that since I’ve gained weight, I don’t really view myself the way I used to. At times I don’t always see the beauty, even though I know it’s there, and when I look at pics it’s almost depressing to see how big I allowed myself to get. But no worries, I’m not depressed and I’m working on it! It is nice, though, to have days like this–where I feel fancy. Sure, I see the roundness in my cheeks and my boobs look like implants, lol, but I still look hot–I don’t care what anyone says! Some days, you just have to brush it off and tell yourself that you look amazing, no matter what! There’s no reason to beat yourself up; just use what you see now as motivation to change & become what you want to be in the future. I may not be forever 21, but I am forever beautiful.

The ring and smaller bracelet are from my mother and are quite old, so I don’t have links for those! Also, the Banana Republic Factory Store site has a very limited selection & their jewelry isn’t on there at all, so I linked to something I would’ve worn from the retail store.

So, this is something I’d written a couple of years ago and I’m bringing it back to life. I haven’t actively dated in quite some time, but this question never evades me. While watching Grey’s Anatomy, fictional, I know, the relationship between Dr. Jackson Avery and Dr. April Kepner got me thinking again–how do people interfaith marriages work? She is very firm in her Christian faith, and Jackson doesn’t believe in God at all. In the beginning, their marriage was tested because not only did he call her faith silly and God fictional, they disagreed on how they would raise the kids, etc. So, I’m wondering what you guys think? Read what I had to say below.

Religion, it’s so dividing. To say that most of them believe in some form of the same thing, they sure do know how to ostracize one another. Christians hating Christians, Jews shunning Jews, Muslims disowning Muslims. It’s shameful to see because religion should bring unity.

But I shall not expand on such things. What I’ve been thinking about is intermarriage, specifically in reference to religion. I’ve seen and heard of people marrying others outside of their religion, but it usually doesn’t last. Or when it does, I often wonder how. It seems that one would have to be slightly less committed to their religion to conjoin with that of another, especially those that are so contrasting.

For example, a Baptist and Methodist marrying is not nearly as extreme as a Christian and Buddhist joining in matrimony. Even Christians and Muslims believe in the same God, with there being some differences between the two. But how can one who believes in, say, Jesus build a family with one who worships several gods?

I am not saying in any way that these groups cannot coexist with one another–I have friends across all the spectrums: religion, race, sexuality, age. But when you marry a person, you build your family’s foundation on shared values, correct? If a Christian believes that Jesus is the way and the Savior, how do they cope with the fact that, according to their beliefs, their Buddhist partner is going to hell? I don’t understand.

I only ask because I, myself, am a Christian and I love God with all of my heart. But I am also accepting of all people–obviously bigotry is not tolerated, but that’s not based on social attributes, but rather poor and ignorant attitudes. I love all people, as I believe Christ would have and does. Sure, I may not agree with everything that someone does or believes, but at the end of the day I do not think more highly of myself than I ought to and I judge not others.

Here is a South Indian & Jewish wedding. They had two ceremonies and both are beautiful; they look wonderful together!

I am attracted to all races and ethnicities, all of them. *But at times, different racial backgrounds are accompanied with different religions. For example, I’ve noticed that several of the actors I find amazingly beautiful are Jewish, haha, e.g. Joseph Gordon Levitt, Jesse Eisenberg, the Savage brothers, Shia freakin’ LaBeaouf! Granted, they may not all practice Judaism–some may just be ethnically Jewish–but I’m trying to make a point.

*note* I know that people of the same race are not all members of the same religion. But let’s not pretend, for example, that it’s not more common for an Indian to be Hindu. I was just using this as an example.

Kunal Nayyar and Utkarsh Ambudkar are heavenly, and though extremely presumptuous of me (I’m sorry) I could say that even of they don’t practice Hinduism, maybe their families do? Those are not traditions easily broken.

And the list goes on, so on and so forth. Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus… they’re all beautiful. But they all believe differently.

Do you convert? Blend? Become tolerant? I’m just curious as to what others may think.

I’d date someone of another religion. Would it last, I don’t know. Obviously, I’d figure that out before marriage, which many fail to do. But I’m with Jesus always and forever. No one and nothing can change that 🙂

I just wanted to give a quick shoutout to all of the mothers out there, and particularly the ones in my life! No matter what your situation may be, if you are providing for and contributing to your family in the best way that you know how, I salute you. Everyone’s situation won’t look the same and that’s okay. But you know when you’re a mother & I’ve heard that there is no other feeling out there that could compete. So on this day, and every other day that we humans exist on this planet, I say THANK YOU! We would all, quite literally, not exist without you.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY MOMS!

My grandmother & I at my college graduation!

Happy Mother’s Day to Grams aka Momo. You’ve mothered us all; you took them in when they needed it, when they didn’t deserve it and all because you love us all. More importantly, you gave me my mother and for that, I thank you.

Sis sent us a selfie 😉My sister Sherri & her family. -Now she has another kiddo on the way, yayy for Tee Nell!

Happy Mother’s Day to my oldest sister & one of my BESTEST friends! You are an example of the woman, mother and wife that I’d like to be. You gave me the cutest, most adorable, most intelligent nieces and nephews in the world, and you have a rocking’ hubby. I mean, how am I supposed to compete with that? Lol, jk. I appreciate you more than you know.

Me & Mom!Mom & I having lunch at La Madeline’sMom posing on a Sunday.

As J.Cole so nicely put it in the end credits of his new album: MYYY MAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! My heart, my love, my rock, my reason to keep going. This woman, Jesus! Not only did she give me life, but she gave me everything else in it. I love you, I need you, I thank you! Happy Mother’s Day Mommy!!! <3

These are the people who keep me together. These are the people who I love. & those women are the glue that holds us all together–they keep us functioning. Love you Shay & Mom! Happy Mother’s Day babes!

Ever wonder what the key to a successful, happy, fulfilling life is? Wondering how to get along with others, succeed in your relationships, understand and communicate well with your children? Love, my friend, simply love.

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:1-13 NKJV)

“And so the lion fell in love with the lamb…” he murmured.- Edward Cullen

“What a stupid lamb,” I sighed.- Bella Swan

“What a sick, masochistic lion.”- Edward Cullen

–Twilight, by Stephenie Meyers

Ahh, this quote…beautiful, isn’t it? I absolutely love Twilight, both the book and movie series. I own all of the books and I will soon buy the movie collection–sorry guys, please don’t question my dedication! I’ve read the first book twice, and it was just as amazing the second time around; when I find the time, I will reread the others as well. Although the movies get a lot of flack and so many people complain about the Bella Swan and Edward Cullen love story, we can’t ignore the millions of fans out there that adore them. I mean come on, all of the books were best sellers, and according to Wikipedia, the movies have grossed over 3.3 billion dollars to date. That’s BILLION people! I don’t care what people say, they’re amazing. & although I don’t want immortality, I might give it a second thought to call myself Bella Swan Cullen 😉

If you guys haven’t read the books or seen the movies, I do recommend them. The links will be below!

Interesting thing, my dad happens to be a huge admirer of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.–as most are–and in the spirit of the times, he asked that God would bring him a child with the same spirit to help and love others. Apparently, that child was me! Now, I don’t know about me inspiring national movements or anything, but I do love and appreciate what he did. My birthday also happens to be the day before his–January 14th–which was apparently confirmation enough for my father :). So, in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, here are a few inspirational quotes. And remember, always act kindly and love cheerfully.

“Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:1-5

Whether you’re religious or not, or a follower of Christ, I still believe that these are great words to live by. Love one another, man.

Calm down, I’m not angry at some man! I’m actually quite happy with one– his name is Ed Sheeran! It’s been a minute since I’ve done a musical post and I have had a few songs on replay for the past week now– one of them being “Don’t” by the one and only Mr. Sheeran.

Ed Sheeran seems absolutely adorable with his red hair, English accent, and completely unthreatening/artistic tattoos. His first album, Plus (+), was completely acoustic and the songs were soft and sweet. When I first heard “The A Team” and “Small Bump,” they were actually being covered by a Youtube artist, Zeek Power— you guys should check out his channel, he’s great! And when I watched the video for “Lego House,” I was thoroughly confused. At the time, I didn’t know Rupert Grint’s real name and assumed that the renowned Harry Potter star was not only an actor, but also a singer whose real name must have been Ed Sheeran. No worries though, I got things cleared up in the end. I looked into Sheeran and was impressed; his music was on rotation on my local radio stations and I officially became a fan.

But this year, he took me by surprise. One day I was listening to the radio in my car and “Sing” started playing. I thought to myself: “Wait a minute…is this Ed Sheeran? Nahhh, it can’t be. Whaaat?! I like it!” Some of his new songs have more of a pop-like sound, are super catchy and a bit edgier. It also seems that he went a bit personal with these, as a few songs are clearly about his past relationships– “Nina,” inspired by Nina Nesbitt, and “Don’t,” which is apparently about Ellie Goulding. But let’s not concentrate on the gossip, stay focused on the music!

I checked out the album, with plans to purchase it, but I wasn’t immediately impressed with the iTunes snippets. I need to give the songs a full review on Youtube before I commit –I’m not the biggest fan of buying single songs for $1.29; if the entire album is decent I’d rather buy the whole thing. Also, I like owning CDs —oooh so retro of me, I know— that way I can play them in my car and have the mp3s. (Yes, I know I can just sync my iPhone to my car but physical albums are better, okay!) Although those three songs are my favorites at the moment, especially “Don’t” and “Nina,” I am also a bit over the replays on the radio stations.

Overall, I definitely suggest that you check out the album, even if it’s only to buy a few of the songs. Both Ed Sheeran and his music are equally awesome. & although some of the official music videos have been sort of strange, give them quick look; they’re worth at least one watch. Also, please be sure to check out the video below that he did with Ruby Sessions TV; it’s an amazing mashup of Sheeran’s songs, “Don’t” and “Nina,” Chris Brown’s “Loyal,” Blackstreet’s “No Diggity” and Dr. Dre’s “The Next Episode ft. Snoop Dogg.” I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!

You can follow the lovely redhead on Twitter, Soundcloud and Tumblr, subscribe to his Youtube channel, and like his Facebook page! You can also buy the deluxe CD album here, digital album here, or find both on iTunes. If you listen to some of the songs, let me know in the comments what you thought. Did you like my picks, or do you have favorites of your own? If you’re a veteran Sheeran fan, let me know which album you prefer.